Clamping device for wire-stretchers.



PATENTED AUG. 2, 1904.

J. A. (ELEMENTS. GLAMPING DEVICE FOR WIRBSTRETOHBRS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 1904.

H0 MODEL.

W1 avassas: [NI ENTOR @7674260 :1, 67767767S Patented August 2, 1904.

F FFICE.

JAMES A. ()LEMENTS, OF ABINGDON, ILLINOIS.

CLAIVIPING DEVICE FOR WlRE-STRETCHERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 766,423, dated August2, 1904.

Application filed January 28, 1904. Serial No. 190,969. (No modeld To1/]? 11:71 0), if many (OIL/writ.-

citizen of the United States, residing at Abingdon, in the county ofKnox and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Clamping Devices for \Yire-Stretchers; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ofthe same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part ofthis specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has re fcrence to that class of clamping devicescomprising two clamping-bars between which the runners or wires of awoven-wire fence or the wires of other suitable fences are held whilethe usual stretcher is operated to take up the slack in the wires; andthe invention consists in a clamping device that may be set to its workin the least possible time and removed with less trouble and time thanthe clamping devices heretofore in use, as will be hereinafter describedand subsequently pointed out in the claims.

Figure l of the drawings is an edge view of the clamping device, showingthe wires between the two clamping-bars. Fig. 2 is a front elevationthereof. Fig. 3 is a detail view in perspective of a portion of the twoclampingbars with clamping-bolt connecting them together, the same beingshownon an enlarged scale: Fig. ii, a horizontal section through theclamping-bars, showing the clamping-bolt and fence-wire in elevation;Fig. 5, a detail perspective view of the head of the clamping-bolt; Fig.(5, a plan view of the form of wrench preferably used in connection withthe clamping device.

In the accompanying drawings, A B represent the two clamping-bars, theformer being preferably of wood and the latter bar of steel or othermetal, or any suitable material may be used in constructing said bars,as that is left entirely to the judgment of the manufacturer. Theclamping-bar B, which, as previously stated, is preferably of suitablemetal, has elongated slots 1.! extending lengthwise of the bar and ofany suitable number, as found most preferable. Extending through theslots (0 are suitable bolts C, having their ends screwthrcaded, as shownat l), with which engage suitable washers c and screw-nutsd, said boltsalso extending through holes in the clampingbar A, and between thesebars are clamped the running-wires of the woven or other wire fence, asindicated at l).

The head E of the bolt is of peculiar construction in that it is beveledupon opposite sides, as shown at (1, and reduced in thickness, so thatthere will be a minimum frictional surface to come in contact with theface of the clamping-lair B, and the edges of said reduced portions areinclined, as shown at f, to further decrease the surface of that portionof the bolthead coming in contact with the clamping-bar. The head E ofthe bolt 0 is tapering in a direction toward its outer end and alsodecreases in thickness in the same direction, thereby making everyprovision for the expeditious withdrawal or replacing of theclamping-bar B without the necessity of removing each bolt in order todetach the bar. In turning the bolt-head E one-quarter turn the bar Bwill cause the fence-wire to be firmly clamped between the two bars andsecurely held thereby, thev two clamping-bars being drawn toward eachother and clamping the wire upon each side. The bolt-head E beingpointed or tapering admits the slotted bar B being readily adjusted toits proper place over the head when brought into use, the pointed ortapering end of the head serving as a guide to the slot in the bar,which would not be the case were the bolt-heads substantially the samewidth and thickness as the elongated slot (4.

The clamping-bar A is provided at its upper end with a guide-pin F,which engages the upper end of the clamping-bar B to hold it in exactposition until the operator can turn one or more of the bolt-heads intoposition, when its mission is finished. vlt will be noticed that thebearing-point of the bolt-head E is brought to a minimum, as the innerface of said head is not only the bevel w upon opposite sides, but theedges of the reduced portions are inclined, as shown at f, therebybringing in frictional contact with the bar B comparatively littlesurface and enabling the bolt to turn with comparative ease.

The pointed or tapering form of the bolthead, as shown at g, is anadditional feature thereof, as well as the decreasing thickness upon itssides, as shown at it, forming to' gether a double taper and enablingthe bar B, with its slots, to be brought in position to readily passover the bolt-heads. the pointed or tapering form of the head guidingthe slotted bar over the same.

-When the bolt-head E fails to take its proper place from any cause, asuitable tool or rod may be inserted in the hole v1 provided for thepurpose and the head forced to its proper position, and a suitablewrench may be used for this purpose, as shown at G in Fig. 6 of thedrawings, or any other suitably formed wrench may be used in placethereof, as found most desirable.

The faces or sides of the fiat head E of the bolt C are on the sameplane with the axis of the bolt in contradistinction to being at rightangles therewith, thereby serving as a lock when the head is at rightangles to the slot a, as shown in the drawings, and when the head isturned one-quarter around the same will be parallel with the slot,thereby enabling the clamping-bar B to be detached.

In describing the various details of construction of my improvedclamping device I wish it understood that many changes or modificationsmay be made therein without in any manner departing from the essentialfeatures of the invention, and any such changes as Would come withinordinary mechanical judg-v ment may be resorted to and still come withinthe scope of the invention.

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is e 1. Aclamping device for wire-stre'tchers, comprising two clamping-bars, oneof which has a plurality of elongated slots, and a plurality oftightening-bolts having flat heads, the sides of the heads being on thesame plane with the axis of the bolts, said bolts extending through theslots in one bar and through holes in the other bar, substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

2. A clamping device for wire-stretchers, comprising two clamping-barsbetween which the fence-Wires are clamped, one of the bars havingelongated slots therein and the other bar having a guide-pin at itsupper end to engage the slotted bar, and a plurality of fiatheadedtightenirigbolts extending through the slots of one bar, the sides ofthe heads being on the same plane with the axis of the bolts, and holesin the other bar, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. A clamping device for wire-stretchers, comprising two clamping-bars,one of said bars having elongated slots, and a plurality of flat-headedbolts engaging said slots and extending through both bars, thebolt-heads having opposite bevels and inclines upon its inner edge andgradually tapering in a direction toward its outer end to form a pointedhead, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES A. (ELEMENTS.

WVitnesses:

J. H. SIMMONs, G. K. SLOUGH.

